Talk:Montreal Canadiens

Retired numbers

Would somebody explain, why (sometimes) Aurel Joliet & Elmer Lach are included with Beliveau & H.Richard? Though this isn't the case at this article. GoodDay (talk) 01:17, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

I see that on Aurel Joliet's wikipedia article it says "co-retired" but there is no reference, and I have not been able to verify that it is correct. Some people incorrectly lump all great players that have worn the same number into the same listing. Another theory is that Montreal Honoured him and people mistook that for retiring his jersey. Sometimes when a team changes ownership they do not always recognize previous ownership "honours", like in Detroit where number 6 is not officialy retired but honoured by previous owners, the Ilitch family does not mention anything about the honoured player, but it is unavailable for players to use. As far as I can tell the two players jerseys have not been retired, but they are hall of famers.--Never give up! Never surrender! (talk) 04:10, 21 April 2009 (UTC)

Okie Dokie. GoodDay (talk) 15:57, 21 April 2009 (UTC)

Lach (16) is retired tonight, along with Bouchard (3), Someone who can edit a locked page should get on this.

I would do it myself, but I'm not sure how bout to reflect the odd situation where it now appears #16 is twice retired (along with Henri Richard). Aoystreck (talk) 00:32, 5 December 2009 (UTC)

Took care of it.Mr. No Funny Nickname (talk) 00:34, 5 December 2009 (UTC)

Division championships

Wasnt the nhl's criteria for division champs winning the division in the playoffs not the regular season standings (during the time when the adams division existed)? I asked this as the canadians are listed for winning the division title in the info box for 1991-92, when they lost to the boston bruins in the adams division final that year. Ottawa4ever (talk) 01:33, 29 April 2009 (UTC)

Hi Ottawa, I will need to do some further checking, but If I remember well, the team that finished first at the end of the season was givel the division title, in the playoffs, they called it division final, but was really a conference semi-final, (they just got the right to play for the ability to be in the conference finals), I know they kept changing terminology and playoff format (not much but enough) from year to year during that era. I have to get out and talk to some people to make sure, but I think that is about right. If not I'm sure there will be someone to tell me!--Never give up! Never surrender! (talk) 02:10, 29 April 2009 (UTC)

I've yet to find a definitive answer, but my experience tends to agree with Ottawa. I know for a fact that neither the Oilers nor the Flames, as two examples, cared one whit about the regular season Smythe championship - Both teams only hung banners for playoff division titles, and both media guides only list playoff titles from that era. i.e.: The Flames won the Presidents' Trophy in 1987-88, but don't list that season as a division winning season, whereas the Oilers do. Ditto 1986, but in reverse. I would be inclined to remove that mention of a division title myself. Resolute 02:25, 29 April 2009 (UTC)

Has anybody noticed the confusion at 1991-92 Montreal Canadiens season & 1991-92 Boston Bruins season articles (for example). GoodDay (talk) 15:31, 2 May 2009 (UTC)

That they are both division champions?., Yep. The confusion runs even further with several more seasons in the 80s for the canadians where they win the regular season division and lose in the playoff divison final. Maybe some sort of asterik and note for those seasons could be made in the article (ie regular season divison champions). The only reason i think they kinda should be listed is today we judge the division champion based on regular season performance and new editors would likely just add them back if they werent familliar with the playoff format of the 80s. Just a thoughtOttawa4ever (talk) 14:44, 3 May 2009 (UTC)

Another note is these issues seem to be present in the detroit redwings articles as it is listed as winning the divison by regular season and not the playoff divison championship for the 1980s and early 90sOttawa4ever (talk) 14:50, 3 May 2009 (UTC).

If you look at the NHL playoff format page it doesn't say champ, it says winner. I know, I know a champ is a winner but is a winner a champ? --Never give up! Never surrender! (talk) 18:26, 3 May 2009 (UTC)

Infobox

Can we please remove the french version of the team's name, from the infobox. This is the English Wikipedia. Note: we don't use a french version at the Quebec Nordiques Infobox. GoodDay (talk) 19:26, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

I don't know on this one. I think it might be appropriate to have the official legal name of the club listed. We tittle the page and the infobox with the English name, but I think we would be leaving something out if we didn't have the true legal name. Same way we do for locations with translations like Munich or players Pavel Bure. (not in the infobox but in the lead which I think is a fair comparison). -Djsasso (talk) 19:37, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Then should such a version be at the Nordiques page? Afterall, Montreal is bi-lingual where's Quebec City is francophone. GoodDay (talk) 19:40, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Yes, it probably should be on there as well. We just didn't have the French police pushing for it on that one cause the team no longer plays. -Djsasso (talk) 19:41, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Personally, I prefer it removed here, as the French Wikipedia doesn't use the English version. I suppose others can decide. GoodDay (talk) 19:43, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Every Quebec-registered company must be legally registered with a French name. I don't think it is sufficiently informative to include the legal name in the infobox, which in any case is Club de hockey Canadien. Isaac Lin (talk) 21:03, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

I like to point out further, at the French Wikipedia. They don't even have english versions in the English based NHL articles. For example, they've got Penguins de Pittsbugh in the infobox, but no Pittsburgh Penguins. It's time for fairness to prevail. GoodDay (talk) 16:53, 25 February 2010 (UTC)

Are you ruling a French-English war in here? This kind of wars may exist in Canada, but you should not bring political problems on Wikipedia. Point of views are not acceptable when contributing on Wikipedia, and continuing so may result to a block. Both English and French Wikipedias have their own rules and they are not linked. As the team is officially known in French and is located in an officially French-language city, it seems essential for me to state the French name, as it should on any other French-language team's infobox. Jimmy^talk 01:26, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

You don't have to snap at me. -- GoodDay (talk) 00:01, 27 February 2010 (UTC)

The French name is the official one - it's a relevant piece of information on the team. What they do at the French Wikipedia has no bearing here. We make content decisions based on the en-wiki guidelines, policies and consensus, not on tit-for-tat reactions to what other projects may or may not be doing. --Skeezix1000 (talk) 01:41, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

Well RG said it best (for me), thus my reason for not pushing this further. GoodDay (talk) 23:55, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

I think the French is appropriate, especially given that the Canadiens were once the only team to sign Francophone players in the league. However, I think the claim that the Canadiens are the only existing team to predate the founding of the NHL may be slightly inaccurate, as both the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings can claim their origins with the Regina Capitals and the Victoria Cougars (not a complete transfer of ownership, as the new franchises only purchased rights to the players themselves) predate the founding of the NHL as well. 67.171.9.106 (talk) 21:57, 30 April 2010 (UTC)

The claim is wholly accurate. That Chicago and Detroit - whose franchises predated the official demise of the WHL - purchased assets from defunct teams doesn't mean they are those teams, and the thing that's truly amazing to me is the number of people who swallow such a premise.  Ravenswing  03:19, 1 May 2010 (UTC)

It's actually fun how the legend grows. The New York Rangers purchased the players of the Saskatoon Sheiks in the same way the Cougars and Hawks purchased players from Victoria and Portland. Difference is, the Rangers never made any note of it. Ultimately, however, all three teams were expansion teams. Resolute 15:56, 1 May 2010 (UTC)

Do we then decide that the montreal canadiens began in 1910-11 instead because, "Montreal Canadiens suspended operation, but a separate Montreal franchise, also called Canadiens, took over the contracts of the players of the former Canadiens team."(from The Hockey Compendium page 179).174.90.254.168 (talk) 18:01, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

Seasons played

How many total seasons have the Canadiens played? According to List_of_Montreal_Canadiens_seasons it is only 99 so far, so 2009/2010 would be their 100th season. RomaC (talk) 05:58, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

You are correct, 2008-09 was the 100th anniversary of the team itself. Just like you are actually in your 20th year when you are still 19. While this 2009-10 is the 100th season, Just like you are 20 once you have your birthday. -Djsasso (talk) 12:21, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

Actually, the missing season is from 2004–05, due to the lockout. Isaac Lin (talk) 13:08, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

Yes, but what I said is correct as well. Or atleast that is what the team has stated when asked why the 100th anniversary celebrations are split over two years. -Djsasso (talk) 14:01, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

What I did was count the seasons listed on the page above, and added them up not counting the season that was not played (2004-2005), and the total I got was 99 seasons played so far. RomaC (talk) 14:46, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

Yes, the 100th anniversary is in December 2009 and the team chose to celebrate it over two seasons. However, the fact that last season was the 99th season is not like how I am in my 20th year when I am 19, because if 2004–05 had not been cancelled, then last season would have indeed been the 100th season. Isaac Lin (talk) 19:10, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

But it would not have been the 100th year, do you see what I am saying. They counted by seasons for this year and years for last year. Last year even with the cancelled season was still their 99th birthday so to speak. December 1909 - December 2008 is 99 years so this year December 2009 they turn 100, which means that from December 2008-December 2009 was their 100th year. This is why so many people are confused as to why they are doing it for two years. -Djsasso (talk) 19:18, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

Potential moving

Hi everyone, I have a question for you guys. Should we move the article Montreal Canadiens to Montréal Canadiens? This typography (the "é" in "Montréal") is also used by NHL and Canadiens' official website. Thanks in advance for your opinion. Sincerely, Jimmy^talk 02:19, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Hmm, well, it seems to me that Montreal is a fine English spelling and this is the English wikipedia and all. Plus the wikipedia article on the city uses Montreal. Dbrodbeck (talk) 03:32, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Already debated and decided against because we follow the city name article. Personally I like to see it but overwhelming wikipedia consensus is against it. Diacritics are a huge debate on wikipedia which you really really don't want to get into. Trust me. -DJSasso (talk) 04:20, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

In agreement with Dk & DJ. GoodDay (talk) 15:19, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Thanks a lot for your replies. That's exactly why I first wanted to ask people before proceeding to moving, which I won't. Sincerely, Jimmy^talk 18:54, 17 October 2009 (UTC)

Oldest North American professional sports teams

There are at least two professional football teams older than the Canadiens: the Arizona Cardinals (founded in Chicago in 1898), and the Toronto Argonauts. I'm not sure if it is sufficiently notable to state that the Canadiens are the oldest North American professional sports team outside of baseball and football. I tried to find a reliable source with a list of all the oldest teams so a ranking for the Habs could be given, but did not find one. I suggest removing the clause regarding the Canadiens' place among teams in other sports. Any comments? Isaac Lin (talk) 22:33, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

THN's Canadiens anniversary magazine lists them, pg. 139. The oldest pro team in North America are the Toronto Argonauts at 136 years old. Then the Atlanta Braves (133), Chicago Cubs (133), Cincinnati Reds (127), St. Louis Cardinals (127), Pittsburgh Pirates (127), San Francisco Giants (126), Philadelphia Phillies (126), Los Angeles Dodgers (125), Arizona Cardinals (111), New York Yankees (108), Boston Red Sox (108), Chicago White Sox (108). The list ends there, so I can't say for certain if there are any teams between the White Sox and the Canadiens. On the history article, I simply mentioned they are the oldest pro hockey team. Resolute 22:57, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

I assume the second instance of "St. Louis Cardinals" is actually the Arizona Cardinals? Isaac Lin (talk) 23:06, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Yes, you are correct. I have fixed that. Resolute 23:18, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Hm, the above list is certainly incomplete. I'm surprised, for instance, that they included three of the charter franchises in the American League and not the other five: Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics. The Salt Lake Bees of the minor league PCL in baseball began as the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association in 1902, the Indianapolis Indians have been around since 1902, the Rochester Red Wings since 1899 ... all in all, the Habs' antiquity is not at all notable in pro sport outside of hockey.  Ravenswing  10:03, 17 October 2009 (UTC)

I've reworded it, I think it's worth noting that the Canadiens are among that list, regardless of which teams and which sports might be in it, that their longevity goes beyond the sport of hockey. Doc Quintana (talk) 05:29, 19 October 2009 (UTC)

Pronunciation

This was discussed previously on this page (see the archive), but I wasn't quite clear on the differences being expressed. In Montreal, English media and fans pronounce the team's name with the same stress pattern as the word "Canadians". However I have heard some broadcasters on American media pronounce the name with the final syllable stressed, as indicated in the edit I reverted. Given the lack of consensus on this matter, I have reverted the pronunciation. I suppose both pronunciations could be listed since they are both known to occur? Isaac Lin (talk) 23:50, 16 February 2010 (UTC)

I don't know how you would source it...but I know most of the time when I hear it like on CBC and TSN its said Canadiens with an emphasis on IENS not IANS like you infer in your comment. I rarely hear it pronounced like Canadians, usually its pronounced as the french Canadiens. -DJSasso (talk) 02:27, 17 February 2010 (UTC)

I agree. It sounds like the French pronunciation, with a final "s" sound, like English usually does. Jimmy^talk 03:59, 17 February 2010 (UTC)

Sourcing is pretty easy, just more tricky for someone without access to local media to verify. The sportscasts of CBC Montreal, CTV Montreal, and CJAD radio all use the English stress pattern. Here's a web videocast from a local sports show host where you can hear various Montreal personalities pronounce the team's name. The Hockey Night in Canada announcers for Montreal games use the same pattern, and so do Ron Maclean and Don Cherry. It may be a regional thing, with some announcers inclined to stress the last syllable, for some reason. (And it is never pronounced the French way (CAH-nah-DIEN, three syllables), unless the speaker is deliberately saying the name in French.) Isaac Lin (talk) 04:57, 17 February 2010 (UTC)

Here's an interview with Pierre Boivin, team president—hear him say the team name at the ~2:47 mark (note the interviewer also uses the same pronunciation). Isaac Lin (talk) 05:15, 17 February 2010 (UTC)

I guess we have different opinions on what the french pronounciation is, Ron Maclean and Don Cherry were the examples I was thinking of that always say it the french way. The Pierre Boivin interview seems to actually be a mix of the two. He says the first half of the word how I think is the french way and the second half the english way. Quite odd. -DJSasso (talk) 12:14, 17 February 2010 (UTC)

OK, just to clarify: the common pronunciation I hear on, say, national English media for the word "Canadians" is cah-NAY-dee-uhnz, which matches how local Montrealers pronounce the team's name, and the examples I have given above. I have heard many American sportscasters and some Canadian announcers say "cah-NAY-dee-ENZ", stressing the final syllable, and with a short e sound instead of a schwa. Isaac Lin (talk) 01:12, 18 February 2010 (UTC)

Oh I am sure both are said, I am just saying I hear the enz more often on CBC and TSN and the like. I am sure the Uhnz probably is common in the States. The stressing may vary though, but usually canadian media says it enz whether with a stress or not. That being said I don't think we need the pronounciation on the page. -DJSasso (talk) 01:16, 18 February 2010 (UTC)

Apologies again for not being clear—by "uhnz" I just meant the e is pronounced with the unstressed schwa sound, which is what I hear all the time on CBC. And it is the hard stress on the final syllable that really distinguishes the other pronunciation (basically people trying to emphasize that the name is not spelled with an a, but an e). Isaac Lin (talk) 01:28, 18 February 2010 (UTC)

Hall of Fame

It list that they have the second most hall of famers, but is this true? It is questionable because I have read elsewhere that they have 44 players, and 54 or so people enshrined, yet it only says 42 on here?

—Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.252.77.240 (talk) 02:08, 9 May 2010 (UTC) 

Edit request from Jay92388, 9 May 2010

{{editsemiprotected}} Hello, I request that someone change the Hall of Fame section of the article. It states that the Montreal Canadiens have the second most enshrined Hall of Famers, which is at 42. Yet,I found on another Wikipedia page, which is linked "List of Montreal Canadiens Awar Winnders" that " In the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Canadiens boast the most enshrined Hall-of-Famers with 44. All of their inductees are from Canada with the exception of former Defenceman Joe Hall, who was from England. 36 of these players are from three separate notable dynasties: twelve from 1955–1960, eleven from 1964–1969 and thirteen from 1975–1979. Howie Morenz and Georges Vezina were the first Canadiens given the honor in 1945, while Patrick Roy and Dick Duff were the last to be inducted in 2006."

I suggest that someone look at this, and make certain that it is correct. Thank you Jay92388 (talk) 02:15, 9 May 2010 (UTC)

According to this [1] 52 players that have played for the Canadiens have been inducted in the all of fame Zyrkon (talk) 02:46, 9 May 2010 (UTC)

Requests to edit semi-protected articles must be accompanied by reference(s) to reliable sources.

I suggest you get an account, then you can help us improve articles.94.196.202.221 (talk) 16:01, 9 May 2010 (UTC)

N Not done

I have made an account, but since the page is semi-protected due to previous vandalism, I was told to do a request. So whoever can, if they could do so please edit it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jay92388 (talk • contribs) 04:02, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

Captain

Despite rumours by La Presse, the Habs haven't named anybody captain 'yet'. Let's wait for the annoucement, please. GoodDay (talk) 16:32, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I was willing to let it slide until the end of the day, but given the quote from Gionta at the Canadiens annual golf tournament (see http://habsinsideout.com/main/36721), either Habs management has let something leak before they really should have, or it's just another idle rumour. Isaac Lin (talk) 17:31, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

'Tis best we waint until the Habs official website makes the annoucement. GoodDay (talk) 17:33, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Yep. It doesn't matter how authoritative the rumor is, when the Habs make an official announcement, that's when we change the article and not before.  Ravenswing  20:18, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

We need semi-protection & I'm going to seek it. GoodDay (talk) 14:25, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

add flag in front of Atlete name

I was trying to check the nationality of the captains after reading that there are only two american captains in the history. it would help if we can bulk add players' national flag infront of their names in the various lists. (like the way it shows in the current roster) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.201.59.253 (talk) 13:38, 14 November 2010 (UTC)

Ownership

I think there is a lack of key information such as ownership, economic value, etc - professional hockey teams are big businesses after all! User:PeregrineAY (talk) 23:15, 1 December 2010 (UTC)

The ownership is already listed, as for economic value, would need good sources to add that kind of information. -DJSasso (talk) 13:53, 2 December 2010 (UTC)

Error in the History Section - Uneditable

In the main article on the Montreal Canadiens under the heading 'History', at the very end of that section the article talks about the Canadiens coming close to continuing the tradition of winning at least one Stanley Cup in each decade they have been a franchise. It references the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs when they reached the conference finals as an example of them coming close to continuing that record. However, by 2010 the Canadiens had already played the decade 2000 - 2009 without winning a Stanley Cup. The year 2010 is the beginning of the new decade 2010 - 2019. Passenger2010 (talk) 19:11, 16 March 2011 (UTC)

That is actually a common misconception. Decades actually begin on the 1s. The most recent decade for example was 2001-2010. Which is why people often point out that it was incorrect to celebrate the millenium on Jan 1st 2000 because the millenium actually started on Jan 1st 2001. -DJSasso (talk) 19:24, 16 March 2011 (UTC)

I think the most useful start point for referring to the decade of the 1990s, etc, is the 0-year, as it is awkward to consider, for example, the year 2000 to be part of the 1990s. I'm in agreement with the second millennium / 21st century starting in 2001, but in that case, the periods of time are being numbered sequentially from year 1, whereas the decade names are just arbitrary labels (the 201th decade, on the other hand, would end in 2010). Thus I support removing the reference to the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. isaacl (talk) 22:44, 16 March 2011 (UTC)

Doesn't matter to me if it stays or goes, was just pointing out that it could be seen as part of the decade still. -DJSasso (talk) 23:03, 16 March 2011 (UTC)

The criteria for "coming close", should be making the Finals. GoodDay (talk) 05:05, 17 March 2011 (UTC)

It's a silly trivia-based statement on something that did not happen. I'd just remove it. Resolute 13:56, 17 March 2011 (UTC)

I disagree with this removal. It is not trivial. It's a very impressive historical achievement. The Canadiens were within three wins of making it to the Finals. Thus the history section can read that they were close to making the Finals at least once ten decades in a row, like so:

Having won the Stanley Cup at least once in each decade since the 1910s, the Canadiens failed to make it to the Finals during the 2000s. The Canadiens came close, losing in the Conference Finals of the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs to the Philadelphia Flyers, their last possible chance for an appearance in ten straight decades. This loss ended a nine-decade streak of at least one Finals appearance per decade.

Also, for decades clarification, take a look at: Template:Montreal Canadiens seasons. You will see that the 2010 playoffs are part of the 2009-10 season, which is the last season of the 2000s. That's why it was the Canadiens' last chance of making it to the Finals for the tenth straight decade. Jmj713 (talk) 19:50, 12 April 2011 (UTC)

• There are a great many events in history that didn't quite happen ... people who didn't "quite" get elected, sports teams that didn't "quite" win the championship, wannabe record holders who didn't "quite" manage the record, people who didn't "quite" climb the mountain. Three wins short fails to achieve the goal no less than thirty wins short.  Ravenswing  00:49, 13 April 2011 (UTC)

Hall of Fame

Yesterday I made an edit that was reverted and called vandalism. I corrected the part of the Hall of Fame section that said they had the most Hall of Famers to state that they have the second most. This is true. The Leafs have more. The Leafs have 60 players, the Canadiens 50. The Canadiens do have 11 builders, which counted, would take them to 61, but the Leafs have far more than one builder anyways, which would give them top spot again. Go to the lists and count them. The Canadiens have the SECOND most. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.245.16.5 (talk) 21:27, 23 July 2011 (UTC)

I'm inclined to agree. I've reworded the passage as any claim to having the most would require a citation. Thanks, Resolute 22:08, 23 July 2011 (UTC)

Team Colors

Could someone please correct the colors in the ECN-Uniform-MTL.PNG image file? (The black needs to be changed to blue.) I don't know how to do this and I was hoping someone out there could do it. Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Desmond71 (talk • contribs) 00:52, 28 December 2011 (UTC)

Looks blue to me... -DJSasso (talk) 16:52, 31 January 2012 (UTC)